Digest

Mayor Steven Abrams' City Council colleagues showered him with praise and good wishes Tuesday as he presided over his last council meeting.

Mayor-elect Susan Whelchel had fun reading a proclamation to Abrams minutes after he made his last official proclamation as mayor. She ribbed the mayor announcing that his middle initial stands for "Leon."

"Steven Leon Abrams," Whelchel said, putting a heavy emphasis on the middle name. "He is an inspiration to all those that aspire to a life of public service."

An amiable Abrams took it in stride. He closed the meeting saying that being mayor has been a highlight of his career and that it has been an honor to serve.

South Florida

Mortgage fraud earns woman 3-year sentence

A Broward County judge sentenced a woman to three years in prison for her role in a yearlong mortgage fraud operation across South Florida, the Attorney General's Office said Tuesday.

Judge Andrew Siegel sentenced Melissa Miranda, 28, to 10 years' probation; she must also pay $1.4 million in restitution to various South Florida lenders.

Miranda was an unlicensed mortgage broker who obtained mortgages for properties in Tamarac, West Palm Beach, Miami and Port St. Lucie by submitting fraudulent loan applications and other documents, an attorney's spokeswoman said.

Miranda began her fraud operation in February 2005 and ended in March 2006. She lived in South Florida while she ran her scheme but fled to New York to avoid arrest, the spokeswoman said. She was extradited to Florida last year.

South Florida

Family of woman killed in crash sues Leyritz

The family of a woman who died in a collision with Jim Leyritz has filed a lawsuit saying the retired baseball player caused the crash by driving drunk and running a red light.

The estate of Fredia Veitch, 30, seeks unspecified damages for her husband, Jordan Veitch, and two children, ages 13 and 5. The civil suit, filed Monday in Broward Circuit Court, comes almost three months after Leyritz was charged with drunk driving and manslaughter after a night of celebrating his birthday with friends. He has pleaded not guilty.

Leyritz, 44, had left Automatic Slims in Fort Lauderdale when he drove his 2006 Ford Expedition through the red light at Southwest Seventh Avenue and Second Street, witnesses told police. He had a blood alcohol level of 0.14, above the legal limit of 0.08, and admitted driving the car, according to police reports.

Deerfield Beach

Cash in the Attic appraiser at benefit

Spring cleaning may pay off April 3 when Tim Luke will look over collectibles for the public to benefit the Northeast Focal Point Senior Center.

The event, from 2 to 4 p.m., will be at The Horizon Club, 1208 S. Military Trail.

Luke is a featured appraiser from HGTV's Cash in the Attic, appears on public television's Antiques Roadshow and is author of Toys from American Childhood: 1845-1945.

Light refreshments will be served; recommended donation of $20 for the appraisal of one item or $40 for up to three items is recommended. Guns, knives or coins will not be appraised. Reservations are suggested by April 1. For more information call 954-481-2304 or visit www.sunriseseniorliving.com or www.Deerfield-Beach.com.

I-95 Update

The Florida Department of Transportation reports the following on Interstate 95:

Three lanes in each direction from Sixth Avenue South to 10th Avenue North will be closed 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday morning.

One lane of the entrance and exit ramps at Sixth Avenue South will be closed 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday morning.

One lane of the northbound exit ramp to 10th Avenue North will be closed 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday morning.

Two lanes in each direction from 10th Avenue North to Southern Boulevard will be closed 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. through Friday morning.

Two lanes in each direction from Southern Boulevard to Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard will be closed 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday morning.